Business License Tax Reform

Representing San Diego Working Waterfront's roughly 800 businesses, she said the tax is effectively a tax on residents, would raise prices on groceries and cars, and that the survey was misleading.

Speaking for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce's 2,000+ businesses, she urged the council to keep the measure off the ballot, saying the small-business exemption is too narrow and goods would be taxed multiple times.

Cited revenue comparisons with National City, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach and asked how the tax could be raised later.

Owner of Valeria's Bake Shop, he asked the council to slow down, describing how the tax would squeeze family-owned businesses and discourage entrepreneurs.

A Mile of Cars dealership representative since 1982 said the tax would force layoffs or moving body-shop and auction operations to other locations.

A business owner who cleans the nearby marsh at his own expense said nothing suggests services would improve with more money and remained opposed.

Representing the Pasha Group's port terminal and auto services operations, she said feedback hasn't been reflected, asked for more alternatives, and described how the tax compounds along the vehicle supply chain.

Speaking for the National City Chamber of Commerce, she acknowledged the fiscal challenge, described 45 days of engagement, and urged continued collaboration rather than a rushed ballot decision.

Of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors, he opposed the tax and raised questions about enforcing the existing code, broker commissions and out-of-city agent apportionment.

Vice president of Well Automotive and president of Mile of Cars, she said the $60-per-car example understates a $9,000/month dealership cost, disputed the 'small business' definition, and asked where the 0.05 rate and $150,000 cap came from.

President of the National City firefighters, he spoke IN SUPPORT, urging the council to place the measure on the August ballot using option two.

A resident and former business owner said her license would jump from $212 to $4,600, never heard of the survey, and asked the city to develop a comprehensive plan instead of rushing.

A longtime planning commissioner/developer voice who said the city must help deliver 5,000 apartments and keep the Mile of Cars competitive, while acknowledging the city's compromise to 0.05%.

A non-resident business owner said it's unfair that business owners who can't vote in National City would pay a tax three to six times higher than others, and asked for a sunset provision.

A 54-year resident feared businesses would leave as in other areas, said the survey was misleading, and urged that the measure not go on this November's ballot.

A landlord and home-based business owner opposed the tax, saying landlords of 1-4 units would pass roughly $2 million in costs to renters; also flagged idle tidelands acreage as untapped economic opportunity.